68 Firebird Rebuild

[hotroddr]

I guess Im about due for a build thread for the 68 firebird. This was my first car, I bought it when I was 13. I painted it in my garage when I was 14 and restored the whole thing by high school. While I was in college it sat outside and declined to the point that it needs to be gone through again. I mostly completed the mini tub in the back while I was in college but havent been able to buy new wheels and tires yet.
The goodies
-350 chevy(I know....it was cheap, and since it runs well it most likely wont be changing for a while)
-mild cam 224* duration at .050, .465 lift intake and exhaust
-th350(Hopefully changing to a manual with overdrive some day)
-Converted from drum to disc brakes up front
-9" rear end with 3.30 limited slip and lincoln versailles discs
-Polyurethane bushings all the way around(I didnt know any better when I did it....they will all be changed)
-1 1/8" sway bar up front
-Guldstrand mod to UCA mount
-Mini tubbed rear
-lots of bondo https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/09/paranoid-1.gif

Here are a couple pics of the car in the college days (maybe 5 years ago), it hasnt changed a whole lot.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Heres a pic from my high school days in front of my old house shot by my mom.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


I havent made a ton of progress with the car since finishing school and paying off the loans. I did get it back on the road and have been fixing all the little things that went wrong while it sat, and started fixing some of the things I did before I knew better.

I tried on some wheels and tires this last weekend that just confirmed that its time to update the look of the car. Im leaning towards more of an old school look for the car, most likely Vintage Wheel works V45 or V48 wheels in 17x9 front with 275-40-17 and 17x11 rears with 315-35-17 tires. The rears in these pictures are 315s. I need to figure out how to photoshop the V48s on the car so i can see which ones I like better.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/21355564009_large-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/21355564008_large-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/21355564007_large-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/21355564006_large-1.jpg

I think the bead blasted 5 spokes are an improvement over the wheels that are on it now.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/21355564004_large-1.jpg[/QUOTE]

[Josue]

Good to see another Firebird!

In for updates!

[spoilersbyrandy]

Dennis, looks good, that is a nice car to own.

[LeighP]

Nice car.....I agree, time to lose the old wheels....

[CliffS]

just love those white Birds!!

[ModernMuseum]

Nice bird. Glad to see you got rid of those pizza cutters :)

[96t/acj]

Any updates?

[rfalker1]

How did u manage to buy this car when u was 13??????????? and it looks god

[hotroddr]

How did u manage to buy this car when u was 13???????????

I saved all my birthday money and started doing yardwork and detailing cars for neighbors when I was young. I never spent any money until I bought my car. I paid $1000 for the car when I was 13, half the engine was in the trunk and the body was in sad shape.


Any updates?

Lately, I have replaced my sway bar bushings with greasable polyurethane bushings which eliminated the poly squeek from the front end. I also purchased a set of DSE delrin lower control arm bushings from Wayne, the owner of FNquick (thanks Wayne!). I am also getting ready to swap in a set of vortec heads which should really wake up this engine. I have cleaned up the pockets of the heads, performed the "ghetto grind" on the valve spring retainers and have upgraded the valve springs. I have a massive power steering fluid leak that I am going to have to address before the EPA gets on my case.

I replaced the tired old (possibly original) radiator with the universal 31x19" Speedway motors aluminum radiator which dropped my engine temps on the freeway in above 100F weather from 225F to 195F. I was happy with this improvement.

I have a few parts on the way from classic industries (thanks 20% off sale). New carpet, a dash center piece and new front spoiler mounting hardware will address a few of the little details I have been needing to address for a while.

I also have a HTH truck arm suspension set up ready to go in the car when I get a few days straight to work on it. I am trying to avoid extended periods of down time so I have been timing all projects as to minimize down time.

[T_Raven]

Looks good

[rohrt]

Your mom must be proud:) Nice burn out.

[Bmf5150]

Nice!!

[sr73bu]

Nice build! Love the new wheels... the yellow lights are a nice "trans-am" look too!

I remember when your old style wheels were popular...haha, I actually had a set on my chevelle for a while.... my how the times have changed..haha - good luck with the upgrades!

-Sean